buckle 1 of 2

verb

Definition of bucklenext
1
as in to collapse
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure the flimsy bridge buckled under the weight of the caravan of trucks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to devote
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention buckled himself down and finished the assignment in record time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

buckle

2 of 2

noun

as in loop

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of buckle
Verb
Argentina responded two minutes later with a try to backrower Joaquin Oviedo after Delguy buckled the defense. — ABC News, 11 July 2026 Construction sites have lots of mishaps, big and small, but columns don’t buckle halfway up skyscrapers. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 11 July 2026
Noun
Joyson informed Hyundai in February 2026 of a test failure involving a rear center seat belt buckle for the Hyundai Kona. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 17 July 2026 In all seriousness, the sandals are so cool-girl coded with their buckle straps and suede upper. — Tessa Petak, InStyle, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for buckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buckle
  1. collapse
  2. devote
  3. loop
  4. go
  5. apply
  6. fold
  7. give
  8. spiral
Verb
  • Chuanjun warned that heavy rain and extreme weather conditions could put additional areas alongside the mountain near the initial landslide at risk of collapsing.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
  • By the time his candidacy collapsed, the time required to mount an effective alternative had largely disappeared.
    — Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • For the past five years, Sapan has devoted much of his time to championing disability on screen through founding Marvels of Media Festival with the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI), which celebrates the work of autistic media makers.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 25 July 2026
  • Interestingly, pop remains one of the only major genres without its own streaming tally, and for many years, there was no sales ranking devoted specifically to that style either.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of devote
Noun
  • The feature is also available as an in-browser weathercast, where users can select a location and view local and regional weather data on a loop, rather than clicking through it — true to the television form.
    — Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
  • This risks amplifying stereotypes through personalization, creating a feedback loop where AI's initial assumptions are reinforced.
    — Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of loop
Verb
  • The whole scene looks like Carmy went full Dexter on the back of house crew.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • Over the past week, the conflict between the United States and Iran has gone from a simmering tit-for-tat to something that much more resembles all-out war.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of go
Verb
  • Transparency advocates, and even the Pentagon’s own internal watchdog, have described the term CUI as inconsistently applied and overused.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Garcia never stepped on the brakes before the SUV hit the tree; only the vehicle’s accelerator was applied, according to the DA’s Office.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of apply
Noun
  • Accordion-fold each strip three times into a triangle shape and insert a skewer through the center to hold folds together.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2026
  • The latest addition to the tech giant's foldable phone family folds vertically, like a book.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of fold
Verb
  • Valkyrie is not quite open for business, but Eveland and her business partner — Valkyrie technical director Desmond Browning — gave a Statesman reporter and photographer a tour of the facility and a preview of the training that will be offered.
    — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
  • In the hours after James’ decision was announced, Philadelphia’s odds of winning the NBA title surged from 20-1 to 10-1, giving the 76ers the fourth-best odds behind the Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of give
Noun
  • The stalemate has raised fears of an endless war, something Trump campaigned on avoiding, as tit-for-tat attacks continue along an escalating spiral.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 July 2026
  • Tom Brady throws a mean spiral, hitting the target to send Rob Gronkowski into 500 gallons of Raising Cane’s Sauce on July 15 in New York City.
    — People Staff, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
Definition of spiral

Browse Nearby Words

bucking up
buckle
buckled
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Cite this Entry

“Buckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buckle. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on buckle

Nglish: Translation of buckle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buckle

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